A NEW council-led task force is spearheading the fight to win back the 108 jobs being lost to the Far East this week by a clothing factory closure.

But there are already fears in Crook that Friday's shutdown at Susie Radin will be a hammer blow which could cost the town's economy as much as £1/2m.

The company, which supplies High Street chain Next, announced three months ago that mounting losses had forced it to axe its sole UK factory and shift production to Hong Kong where labour costs are cheaper.

But so far all efforts to sell its site on the Beechburn Industrial Estate have failed.

Myles Handy, economic development director at Wear Valley District Council, predicts that the effects of the closure will be felt all around the town.

He said: "The value of these jobs to the local economy in Crook is £1/2m. We fear it could have an adverse effect on the whole town.

"So far we have not been able to find anybody to take the factory over in its present form so we are trying to help the employees find jobs elsewhere or in some cases set up their own businesses. We are also letting them know about new training opportunities and helping them claim benefits.

"It is sad because one of our district's greatest strengths is its workforce. For the past 50 years Crook has been recognised in the garment industry for the skill and quality of its workers.

"Now it looks as those skills will be lost as people move on to new jobs in different fields.

"There are companies recruiting and some of them will find work but the garment industry cannot compete with the low cost of overseas labour."

Other members of the task force come from Durham County Council, Government Office North-East, the Employment Service, Bishop Auckland College and County Durham TEC.

More than 100 clothing jobs were lost in Ferryhill last May at another Next supplier Praxis Tailoring. A 30-year-tradition ended when they closed down after administrators were called in at their parent company in Shipley, West Yorkshire.